Mechanically assisted inflation device handle and method of use

ABSTRACT

An inflation device including a handle mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage threads within the device. In some instances the threads are configured to couple a plunger to a syringe body. The handle mechanism may be configured to (1) provide a mechanical advantage and (2) change the location and direction of the input force, thereby making the device easier to use.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/483,564, titled “Mechanically Assisted Inflation Device Handleand Method of Use,” filed on May 6, 2011, which is herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to devices used to pressurize,depressurize, or otherwise displace fluid, particularly in medicaldevices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devicesused to pressurize, depressurize, or otherwise displace fluid along aline in order to inflate or deflate a medical device, such as a balloon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments disclosed herein will become more fully apparent fromthe following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only typicalembodiments, which will be described with additional specificity anddetail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflation device.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the inflation device of FIG. 1 takenthrough plane 2-2.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the inflation device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of the handle of the inflationdevice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the inflation device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the inflation device of FIG. 1 withfluid disposed in a portion of the device.

FIG. 7A is a close up view, taken through line 7A-7A, of a portion ofthe handle of FIG. 6 in a first position.

FIG. 7B is the portion of the handle of FIG. 7A in a second position.

FIG. 8A is a cross sectional view of the threaded portion of theinflation device of FIG. 1 in a first position.

FIG. 8B is the cross sectional view of the threaded portion of theinflation device of 8A in a second position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inflation device of FIG. 1 withfluid disposed within the device and a balloon coupled to the inflationdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An inflation device may include a syringe which utilizes threads toadvance or retract a plunger by rotating the plunger handle relative tothe body of the syringe such that the threads cause longitudinaldisplacement of the plunger relative to the body. In some instances, aninflation syringe may further include retractable threads, enabling apractitioner to disengage the threads and displace the plunger simplypushing or pulling the plunger.

Certain inflation devices, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,047,015; 5,057,078; 5,163,904; and 5,209,732 include a mechanism inthe handle of the device which allows the practitioner to disengage thethreads through manipulating the mechanism. For example, in someinstances the handle of such a device may include a “trigger” portionwhich may be configured to retract threads positioned on the plungerwhen the trigger is actuated.

An inflation device may further be configured such that the threadretraction mechanism includes elements which provide mechanicaladvantage, allowing a user to more easily manipulate the mechanism.Moreover, a mechanism may be configured to alter the location of aninput force, which may provide flexibility and ease of operation to thedevice.

It will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art havingthe benefit of this disclosure that the components of the embodiments,as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could bearranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, asrepresented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of thedisclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. Whilethe various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specificallyindicated.

The phrases “connected to,” “coupled to,” and “in communication with”refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, includingmechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermalinteraction. Two components may be coupled to each other even thoughthey are not in direct contact with each other. For example, twocomponents may be coupled to each other through an intermediatecomponent.

The directional terms “distal” and “proximal” are given their ordinarymeaning in the art. That is, the distal end of a medical device meansthe end of the device furthest from the practitioner during use. Theproximal end refers to the opposite end, or the end nearest thepractitioner during use. As specifically applied to the syringe portionof an inflation device, the proximal end of the syringe refers to theend nearest the handle and the distal end refers to the opposite end,the end nearest the inlet/outlet port of the syringe. Thus, if at one ormore points in a procedure a physician changes the orientation of asyringe, as used herein, the term “proximal end” always refers to thehandle end of the syringe (even if the distal end is temporarily closerto the physician).

“Fluid” is used in its broadest sense, to refer to any fluid, includingboth liquids and gasses as well as solutions, compounds, suspensions,etc., which generally behave as a fluid.

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate different views of an inflation device. In certainviews the device may be coupled to, or shown with, additional componentsnot included in every view. Further, in some views only selectedcomponents are illustrated, to provide detail into the relationship ofthe components. Some components may be shown in multiple views, but notdiscussed in connection with every view. Disclosure provided inconnection with any figure is relevant and applicable to disclosureprovided in connection with any other figure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflation device 100. In theillustrated embodiment, the inflation device 100 is partially comprisedof a syringe 110. The inflation device 100 includes three broad groupsof components; each group may have numerous subcomponents and parts. Thethree broad component groups are: a body component such as syringe body112, a pressurization component such as plunger 120, and a handle 130.

The syringe body 112 may be formed of a generally cylindrical hollowtube configured to receive the plunger 120. The syringe body 112 mayinclude an inlet/outlet port 115 located adjacent the distal end 114 ofthe syringe body 112. In some embodiments, a nut 118 may be coupled tothe syringe body 112 adjacent the proximal end 113 of the syringe body112. The nut 118 may include a center hole configured to allow theplunger 120 to pass through the nut 118 into the syringe body 112.Further, the nut 118 may include internal nut threads 119 (FIG. 2)configured to selectively couple the nut 118 to the plunger 120 in someembodiments.

The plunger 120 may be configured to be longitudinally displaceablewithin the syringe body 112. The plunger 120 may be comprised of aplunger shaft 121 coupled to a plunger seal 122 at the distal end of theplunger shaft 121. The plunger shaft 121 may also be coupled to thehandle 130 at the proximal end of the plunger shaft 121, the plungershaft 121 spanning the distance between the plunger seal 122 and thehandle 130.

The handle 130 broadly refers to the group of components coupled to theproximal end of the plunger 120, some of which may be configured to begraspable by a user. In certain embodiments, the handle 130 may beconfigured such that the user may manipulate the position of the plunger112 by manipulating the handle 130. Further, in some embodiments thehandle 130 may be an actuator mechanism, configured to manipulatecomponents of the inflation device 100.

Any and every component disclosed in connection with any of theexemplary handle configurations herein may be optional. That is, thoughthe handle 130 broadly refers to the components coupled to the proximalend of the plunger shaft 121 which may be configured to be graspable bya user, use of the term “handle” is not meant to indicate that everydisclosed handle component is always present. Rather, the term is usedbroadly, referring to the collection of components, but not specificallyreferring to or requiring the inclusion of any particular component.Likewise, other broad groupings of components disclosed herein, such asthe syringe 110 or syringe body 112 and the plunger 120, may also referto collections of individual subcomponents. Use of these terms shouldalso be considered non-limiting, as each sub-component may or may not bepresent in every embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, a fluid reservoir 116 may be defined by the spaceenclosed by the inside walls of the syringe body 112 between the plungerseal 122 and the distal end 114 of the syringe body 112. Accordingly,movement of the plunger seal 122 with respect to the syringe body 112will alter the size and volume of the fluid reservoir 116.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, the syringe 110 mayinclude a nut 118, coupled to the proximal end 113 of the syringe body112. The nut 118 may utilize threads or other coupling mechanisms tocouple the nut 118 to the syringe body 112. The nut 118 may additionallyinclude internal nut threads 119 configured to couple the nut 118 to aportion of the plunger 120. The plunger 120 may also include externalplunger threads 125 configured to couple the plunger 120 to the nut 118.The plunger 120 may thus be translated longitudinally with respect tothe syringe body 112 by rotating the plunger 120 such that theinteraction of the nut threads 119 and the plunger threads 125 resultsin the longitudinal translation of the plunger 120. Thus, when theplunger threads 125 and the nut threads 119 are engaged, movement of theplunger 120 is constrained with respect to the syringe body 112, thoughthe plunger 120 is not necessarily fixed with respect to the syringebody 112. For example, the plunger 120 may be rotatable, but notdirectly translatable, when the threads 125, 119 are engaged.

The plunger threads 125 may be configured such that they may beretracted within the plunger shaft 121. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, insome embodiments, the plunger threads 125 do not extend 360 degreesaround the axis of the plunger shaft 121. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS.1-4, the plunger threads 125 may be formed on a thread rail 124 whichmay be disposed within a groove 123 in the plunger shaft 121.

The thread rail 124 may be configured such that interaction betweenangled surfaces 126 on the thread rail 124 and the angled surfaces 127(FIG. 5) within the groove 123 interact such that the plunger threads125 may be retractable within the plunger shaft 121. The relationshipbetween the angled surfaces 126 on the thread rail 124 and the angledsurfaces 127 within the groove 123 (FIG. 4) is shown in FIG. 5, 8A, and8B. Translation of the thread rail 124 in the proximal directionsimultaneously causes the thread rail 124 to retract toward the centeraxis of the plunger shaft 121 due to the interaction of the angledsurfaces 126 on the thread rail 124 with the angled surfaces 127 in thegroove 123. Similarly, translation of the thread rail 124 in the distaldirection causes the thread rail 124 to move away from the center axisof the plunger shaft 121. In the illustrated embodiment, a distallyoriented biasing force acting on the thread rail 124 may bias theplunger threads 125 to the non-retracted position. It will beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure that it is within the scope of this disclosure to modifythe angles and interfaces such that a distally oriented biasing force onthe thread rail 124 would bias the plunger threads 125 in the retractedposition. As mentioned above, analogous mechanisms are disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,047,015; 5,057,078; 5,163,904; and 5,209,732.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate two possible positions of the thread rail 124with respect to the internal nut threads 119 and the plunger shaft 121.FIG. 8A shows thread rail 124 disposed in a non-retracted position, suchthat the plunger threads 125 are engaged with the internal nut threads119. FIG. 8B shows the thread rail 124 sufficiently retracted into theplunger shaft 121 that the plunger threads 125 are not engaged with theinternal nut threads 119.

Embodiments which utilize retractable threads may allow a user todisplace the plunger shaft 121 relative to the syringe body 112 eitherthrough rotation of the plunger shaft 121 (and the subsequentinteraction of threads), or by retracting the plunger threads 125 anddisplacing the plunger shaft 121 by applying opposing forces on theplunger shaft 121 and the syringe body 112. (The forces, of course, maymove the plunger shaft 121 distally or proximally with respect to thesyringe body 112). Both methods of displacement may be utilized duringthe course of a single therapy.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the inflation device of FIG. 1 withfluid 50 disposed within the reservoir 116. In some instances, apractitioner may desire to quickly displace the plunger shaft 121, forinstance, while priming the inflation device or while priming ordeflating an attached medical device such as a balloon. Quickdisplacement of the plunger shaft 121 may be accomplished by retractingthe plunger threads 125 and sliding the plunger shaft 121 relative tothe syringe body 112. For example, a practitioner may quickly fill thereservoir 116 with fluid 50 by disengaging the plunger threads 125 andpulling the plunger shaft 121 in a proximal direction with respect tothe syringe body 112. Further, a practitioner may quickly force fluid 50into lines leading to other device or quickly expel unwanted air bubblesfrom the reservoir 116 by retracting the plunger threads andrepositioning the plunger shaft 121.

In other instances, the practitioner may desire more precise controlover the position of the plunger shaft 121 (for example when displacingthe plunger shaft 121 in order to adjust the fluid pressure within thereservoir 116) or it may simply be difficult or impossible without amechanical advantage to displace the plunger shaft 121 due to high fluidpressure within the reservoir 116. In these instances, the practitionermay opt to displace the plunger shaft 121 by rotation of the plungershaft 121.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the handle 130 of the inflation device 100(FIG. 1) may include components which enable a practitioner to retractthe thread rail 124 of the plunger 120. In some embodiments, the plungershaft 121 may be fixed to a first member such as inner member 131 of thehandle 130. The thread rail 124 may be fixed to a trigger 133 componentof the handle. Further, a biasing component 135 may be configured tobias the trigger 133 in a distal direction. Because the trigger 133 isfixed to the thread rail 124, a distally oriented force on the trigger133 will result in a distally oriented force on the thread rail 124 aswell. The force provided by the biasing component 135 (hereafterreferred to as the biasing force) may thus bias the thread rail 124 in anon-retracted position as described above. Conversely, overcoming thebiasing force and translating the trigger 133 in a proximal directionwith respect to the plunger shaft 121 and inner member 131, may retractthe plunger threads 125.

In some embodiments the handle 130 may further include a second membersuch as outer sleeve 136 and one or more levers 140, 141. The levers140, 141 may be disposed such that they provide mechanical advantage,enabling the user to more easily overcome the biasing force and draw thetrigger 133 toward the inner member 131.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 4, 6, 7A, and 7B, portions of the handle130 which interact with lever 140 may be the mirror image of theportions of the handle which interact with lever 141. Thus, in someembodiments, disclosure provided in connection with one lever is equallyapplicable to the other lever. Furthermore, it is within the scope ofthis disclosure to include levers on each side of the handle which arenot identical or to include a single lever.

As is particularly shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the outer sleeve 136contacts lever 140 at point A. The outer sleeve 136 may include ashoulder 139 configured to contact lever 140. A distally oriented forceapplied to the outer sleeve 136 will thus exert a distally orientedforce on lever 140 at point A through contact of the shoulder 139 withlever 140. Furthermore, lever 140 may be configured to pivot about pivotpoint B, and the cross bar 142 (FIG. 6) of lever 140, may thus exert aproximally oriented force on a top member 134 of the trigger 133 atpoint C. Thus, a force which acts distally on the outer sleeve 136 istransferred by the levers 140, 141 and results in a proximal force onthe trigger 133. As discussed above, in the illustrated embodiment, aproximal force on the trigger 133 causes the thread rail 124 to retract.

It is within the scope of this disclosure to alter the shape or form ofthe levers 140, 141. For instance lever 140 is shown with a insideradius near the pivot point B which mates with an outside radius formedon a portion of the inner member 131. It is within the scope of thisdisclosure to alter the design such that the outside radius is formed onthe lever and the inside radius on the inner member 131. Similar designmodifications to the levers or any other component are equally withinthe scope of this disclosure.

It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure that, in many instances, a proximal forcewill be applied to the trigger 133 at the same time a distal force isapplied to the outer sleeve 136. For example, when the handle 130 isgrasped by a user, the user may actuate the handle 130 by squeezing thetrigger 133 with his or her fingers. This action may coincide with adistally oriented force exerted on the outer sleeve 136 by the palm ofthe user's hand. Examples of such forces are illustrated in FIG. 7B,where force X may be due to contact with the palm of the user's handwhile the two forces designated Y may be in response to contact with thefingers of the user. Accordingly, the forces applied in this manner maybe understood as a proximal force on the trigger 130 and a distal forceon the outer sleeve 136. The mechanism of the levers 140, 141essentially combines these forces into a single force acting to retractthe thread rail 124.

The relative distance between each contact point on the lever 140 (A andC) and the pivot point (B) may create mechanical advantage, allowing auser to more easily overcome the biasing force and retract the plungerthreads 125. As the distance between A and B increases relative to thedistance between C and B, a distal input force at point A will result ina greater resultant force at point C. This mechanism also requires theinput point A to travel a larger distance than the output displacementof point C. A mechanism such as that described above may be used inconnection with a trigger activated retraction mechanism for aninflation device as described above, or any other device which similarlyuses a squeeze-type handle as an input to control a mechanism.

In the illustrated embodiment, the distance between point A and point Bis greater than the distance between point B and point C, thus an inputforce on the outer sleeve 136 creates a larger resultant force on thetrigger 133. In other embodiments, the design could be modified suchthat the distance from point B to point C is greater than the distancefrom point A to point B. Moreover, the levers 140, 141 may be modifiedsuch that the pivot point (B) is located at one end of each lever,rather than the pivot point located between the force transferringcontact points (A, C) as in the illustrated embodiment. Furthermore, anycombination of these alternate designs is within the scope of thisdisclosure, including designs where each of two levers has a differentdesign, the handle includes a single lever, or compliant mechanisms areutilized to perform transfer force and provide mechanical advantage.

A handle configured to provide a mechanical advantage when retracting athread rail may be desirable for certain therapies which require largesyringes or high pressure. Such therapies may also require a largerbiasing force due to the size of the device or the pressure within thedevice. A handle providing a mechanical advantage may make devicesconfigured for such therapies easier to use.

As described above, and illustrated in the figures, in some embodiments,the levers 140, 141 may not be pinned or otherwise mechanically coupledto any of the other parts. In some embodiments, the levers 140, 141 maybe only be constrained due to contact with other components of thedevice. Likewise, the outer sleeve 136 may not be mechanically fastenedto any other component, though—like the levers 140, 141—contact betweenportions of the outer sleeve 136 and other components may be utilized tosecure the position of the outer sleeve 136 with respect to the othercomponents. Thus, in some embodiments the levers 140, 141 and outersleeve 136 may be allowed “float” with respect to the other parts. Afloating assembly as described above may allow certain componentsmultiple degrees of freedom with respect to the other parts. Forexample, as explained below, in some embodiments the trigger 133 may bedisplaced in both the longitudinal and transverse directions (withrespect to the outer sleeve 136) when the trigger 133 is actuated.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer sleeve 136 may also include slots137 configured to mate with ridges 132 formed on the outer surface ofthe inner member 131. The interaction between these slots 137 and ridges132 constrains the movement of the outer sleeve 136 with respect to theinner member 131; that is, the two components may only travel (withrespect to each other) in a single direction, parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the syringe body 112. As mentioned above, in theillustrated embodiment, the trigger 133 travels in a directiontransverse to the longitudinal axis of the syringe body 112 (in additionto travel along the longitudinal axis) when it is compressed, due to theinteraction of the angled surfaces 126, 127 of the thread rail 124 andthe plunger shaft 121. Ridges and slots, such as those of theillustrated embodiment (132, 137), may provide a degree of usability andcomfort to the device, as the portion of the outer sleeve 136—which maybe in contact with the palm of the user in some instances—does not slidein a transverse direction.

Many design modifications relating to the outer sleeve 136 are withinthe scope of the current disclosure. For example, in the illustratedembodiments, the outer sleeve 136 has a cap-like shape, fitting over theinner member 131. In other embodiments, the outer sleeve 136 may insteadbe designed as a button which slides into the inner member 131 when itis compressed. Likewise, any other longitudinally actuatable componentmay be utilized in place of the outer sleeve 136.

The handle mechanism described above, and shown in each of FIG. 2-8, mayalso be utilized to change the location and direction of an input forcerequired to retract the plunger threads 125. Essentially, the mechanismallows a user to draw the trigger 133 toward the inner member 131 (andthus retract the threads) solely by applying a distally oriented forceto the top surface 138 of the outer sleeve 136. As outlined above, thelevers 140, 141 transfer this force to the trigger 133 which retractsthe plunger threads 125.

In some instances a user, such as a medical practitioner, may desire todisplace the plunger 120 in a distal direction with only one hand. Thismay be accomplished by grasping the syringe body 112 and using asurface, for example a table top, to apply a distally oriented force onthe top surface 138 of the outer sleeve 136. In this manner, a mechanismsuch as that described above may enable a practitioner to displace theplunger in a one-handed fashion.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inflation device 100 of FIG. 1 withfluid 50 disposed within the device and a balloon 105 coupled to theinflation device 100 via a delivery line 104. Referring now tocomponents shown in FIG. 9 as well as the other figures, in someinstances it may be desirable to operate the syringe 110 “one-handed” asdescribed above in order to prime the system. For example, apractitioner may utilize the inflation device 100 in connection with atherapy which includes the balloon 105, such as an angioplasty. Thepractitioner may initially fill the syringe body 112 with fluid 50, suchas a contrast fluid, by drawing the plunger 120 back in the proximaldirection. In some instances, the practitioner will do so by graspingthe handle 130 of the inflation device with a first hand, while graspingthe syringe body 112 with a second hand. The practitioner may thenretract the plunger threads 125 by squeezing the trigger 133 and theouter sleeve 136 together with his or her first hand, then drawing theplunger 120 back in the proximal direction.

After a desired amount of fluid is disposed within the syringe body 112,the practitioner may orient the syringe such that the distal end 114 ofthe syringe body 112 is above the handle 130, so any air bubbles in thefluid will tend to rise to the distal end 114 of the syringe body 112.The practitioner may also shake, tap, or otherwise disturb the syringe110 in order to facilitate movement of any air bubbles in the fluid. Thepractitioner may then prime the syringe 110 by displacing the plunger120 in a distal direction with respect to the syringe body 112, therebyforcing the air bubbles from the syringe body 112.

In some instances the practitioner will displace the plunger 120 asdescribed after first retracting the plunger threads 125. This may beaccomplished in any manner disclosed herein, including the one handedoperation described above. That is, the practitioner may prime theinflation device simply by grasping the syringe body 112 with one handand using a fixed object or surface, such as a table top, to exert adistally directed force on the top surface 138 of the outer sleeve 136.The force on the outer sleeve 136 will both (1) retract the plungerthreads 125 via the handle 130 mechanism and (2) act to displace theplunger 120 in a distal direction with respect to the syringe body 112.This orientation positions the syringe body 112 in a potentiallydesirable position to allow air to travel to the distal end 114 of thesyringe body 112 while simultaneously orienting the handle 130 such thatthe top surface 138 of the outer sleeve 136 directly faces a horizontalsurface such as a table. Thus, in some instances a physician may desireto prime the syringe 110 in this way due to the orientation of thesyringe 110 as well as the ability to do so with one hand.

There may be other instances during therapy in which the practitionerdesires to displace the plunger 120 distally using only one hand. Inaddition to priming the inflation device as described above, this methodof advancing the plunger may also be employed to prime a deviceconnected to the syringe 110, such as a balloon 105.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the artcan use the preceding description to utilize the present disclosure toits fullest extent. The examples and embodiments disclosed herein are tobe construed as merely illustrative and exemplary, and not a limitationof the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparentto those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the detailsof the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlyingprinciples of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the scope ofthe invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and theirequivalents.

1. An inflation device configured for use in connection with a medicaldevice, the inflation device comprising: a body component; apressurization component configured to increase or decrease pressurewithin the body component through displacing the pressurizationcomponent with respect to the body component; a coupling mechanismconfigured to selectively constrain the displacement of thepressurization component with respect to the body component; and anactuator configured to selectively engage and disengage the couplingmechanism, the actuator configured to provide a mechanical advantage. 2.The inflation device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured todisengage the coupling mechanism in response to a proximally-orientedforce on the actuator.
 3. The inflation device of claim 1, where theactuator comprises a first member and a second member and the actuatoris configured to disengage the coupling mechanism when the first andsecond members are displaced toward each other.
 4. The inflation deviceof claim 3, wherein a lever disposed between the first and secondmembers provides mechanical advantage in controlling the actuator. 5.The inflation device of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanismcomprises a first set of threads coupled to the body component and asecond set of threads coupled to the pressurization component.
 6. Aninflation device configured to displace fluid to inflate or deflate amedical device, the inflation device comprising: a syringe body; aplunger configured to be disposed within the syringe body, the plungerselectively coupled to the syringe body by a plurality of threads; and ahandle coupled to the plunger, the handle configured to selectivelydecouple the threads from the syringe body, wherein the handlecomprises, a trigger component, a sleeve component, and a first levercomponent disposed between the trigger component and the sleevecomponent, wherein compressing the sleeve toward the plunger isconfigured to decouple the threads from the syringe body.
 7. Theinflation device of claim 6, wherein the first lever component transfersa force applied to the sleeve to the trigger component.
 8. The inflationdevice of claim 6, further comprising a second lever component disposedbetween the trigger component and the sleeve component.
 9. The inflationdevice of claim 6, wherein the first lever component provides a factorof mechanical advantage in decoupling the threads.
 10. The inflationdevice of claim 6, wherein both the trigger and the sleeve areactuatable to decouple the threads.
 11. The inflation device of claim10, wherein a force applied only to the sleeve, with respect to theplunger, is configured to decouple the threads.
 12. The inflation deviceof claim 6, wherein the threads restrict movement of the plunger in alongitudinal direction and decoupling the threads permits free movementof the plunger in the longitudinal direction.
 13. An inflation deviceconfigured to displace fluid in fluid communication with a medicaldevice, the inflation device comprising: a syringe body; a plungerconfigured to be disposed within the syringe body, the plungerselectively coupled to the syringe body by a plurality of threads; and ahandle coupled to the plunger, the handle configured to selectivelydecouple the threads from the syringe body, wherein the handlecomprises, a trigger component, configured to decouple the threads whenactuated, a sleeve component, and a lever component disposed between thetrigger component and the sleeve component; wherein the lever componenttransfers a force applied to the sleeve to the trigger component,thereby decoupling the threads.
 14. The inflation device of claim 13,further comprising a second lever component disposed between the triggercomponent and the sleeve component.
 15. The inflation device of claim14, wherein the lever components provide a factor of mechanicaladvantage in decoupling the threads.
 16. The inflation device of claim13, wherein the force applied to the sleeve is in an opposite directionto a resultant force transferred to the trigger component by the levercomponents.
 17. A method of displacing a plunger component of aninflation device, comprising: obtaining an inflation device comprising:a syringe body, a plunger within the syringe body, and a handle coupledto the plunger, the handle configured to selectively couple and decouplethe plunger from the syringe body; actuating the handle to decouple theplunger from the syringe body by displacing a first component of thehandle in a proximal direction with respect to the syringe body; anddisplacing the plunger with respect to the syringe body.
 18. The methodof claim 17, wherein the handle is actuated by applying a force to thefirst component by contact between the first component and anenvironmental object.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the user onlyhas one hand in contact with the inflation device.
 20. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the handle is actuated by displacing a secondcomponent of the handle in a distal direction with respect to thesyringe body.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the handle is actuatedby a human hand squeezing the second component toward the firstcomponent such that the second component is displaced toward the firstcomponent and the first component is displaced toward the secondcomponent.
 22. The method of claim 17, wherein actuating the handledisplaces threads configured to selectively couple the plunger to thesyringe body.
 23. An apparatus comprising: an inflation device, theinflation device comprising: a body; a plunger releasably coupled to thebody; an actuator, comprising a mechanical advantage, the actuatorconfigured for coupling and decoupling the plunger to the body.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 23, wherein the actuator is configured to decouplethe plunger and the body in response to a proximally-oriented force onthe actuator.
 25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the actuator isconfigured for one-handed operation.
 26. The apparatus of claim 23,wherein the actuator comprises a first component and a second componentand displacement of the first and second components toward each otheractuates the actuator.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein themechanical advantage is provided by a lever disposed between the firstand second components.